fickermann



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. PICKERMANN.

GAME 0R PUZZLE.

No. 462,211. Patented Oct. 27,1891.

g ii fqj w 95W (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. PIGKERMANN.

GAME 0R PUZZLE No. 462,211. Patented Oct. 27, 1891.

W messes.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM FICKERMANN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE A. MEYER, OF SAME PLACE.

GAME OR PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 462,21 1, dated October 27, 1891.

Application filed April 19, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-'

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM FIOKERMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and novel invention consisting of a Combined Game and Puzzle, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is

a specification.

Myinvention relates to games, puzzles, &c.; and it consists of a box or other receptacle having an inner surface surrounded by a raised edge and provided with perforations or indentations arranged therein to represent some game-such as base-ball, croquet, or other field or lawn gameand which may be connected by printed lines or by grooves, in the proper direction, according to the character of the game laid out, marbles or balls being used to represent the player or players, and the several perforations or indentations may be suitably marked by different colors surrounding the same, or by characters or otherwise, and the several marbles or balls be marked to correspond with the same.

The marbles or balls are then placed in the box or other receptacle in their respective positions in the said perforations or indentations and moved about in a direction accord- 3o ing to the character of the game and in accordance with the descriptive directions accompanying the game orpuzzle, either by the fingers or otherwise, or by manipulating the box without touching the marbles or balls. In a game of this kind several persons might take part, taking the part of the different players, as will appear obvious, the object of my invention being to provide a cheap and simple game or puzzle that will be novel and 0 entertaining and whereby one or more persons may take part in the same.

Referring to the drawings, in which I have represented a plan view of a base-ball field, showing the diamond, so called, and the position of the players, as an illustration of my invention, Figure 1 represents a plan view of the game, and Fig.2 a sectional view through line w m; Fig. 3, a sectional view erial No. 307,686. (No model.)

through line 00 0:, showing a modification to be hereinafter described; Fig. 4, a plan view of my invention when used as-a puzzle. Figs.

5 and 6 represent modifications of my invention to be referred to hereinafter.

In said drawings, A represents the box or other receptacle containing my invention, which may be of any desired shape or size and of any suitable material or combination of materials, and the bottom of the box may be fiat or slightly concave or convex, as shown in Figs. 5 and G. In the instance shown the game is arranged or laid out on the bottom of the box and the seats a (1., adapted for the reception of the balls'or marbles, (representing the players,) may be simply depressions therein, as shown in Fig. 3, or extend entirely through the same, as shown in Fig. 2. The said seats a. a are arranged to denote the positions taken by the respective players or participants in the game, as well as the bases, &c., and the same are suitably marked by colors, characters, or otherwise, to properly distinguish the samethat is, the basemen and bases marked to correspond with each other, and the other players similarly distinguished, and the connection between the said bases and other positions taken by the respective players may be shown by lines, but preferably by grooves or depressions, as more clearly shown in section at b b in Fig. 3.

The game is adapted to be played substan- 8o tially as follows: The marbles or balls representing the difierent players in the game are placed in their proper positions in the seats provided for the same, according to their peculiar marking, and then by skillful manipulation the desired runs can be effected-as, for example, the batsman or inner, so called, (the seat or position of which is represented at l in Fig. 1) may be hit by the pitcher, (represented at 2,) and then make the runs 0 to first base, (3,) second base, (a) &c., taking his chances of being put out or struck by any of the infielders or outfielders or basemen, (represented at 6 6,) running in the connecting grooves b 1) against him. The direction of the runs to be made, &c., may be somewhat varied, as will appear obvious to those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of my invention, and be moved or manipulated according to directions accompanying the game or puzzle.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A game or puzzle consisting of an inclosure having a suitable surface provided with depressions or openings therein forming seats, arranged to represent the positions of the several players on a base-ball field, and provided with suitable distinguishable markings, and a series of balls or marbles representing the several players, corresponding in number and marking with the several different seats, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. A game or puzzle consisting of a surface surrounded by raised sides and provided with depressions or perforations therein,

forming seats arranged to represent a base ball field, and provided with suitable distinguishable markings, and a series of balls or marbles representing the several players, corresponding in number and markings with the several different seats, and grooves forming the outline of the diamond, so called,

-the said seats, adapted to be operated in a manner substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

W'ILLIAM FICKERMANN.

W'itnesses:

CHAS. F. DANE, JOSEPH M. CRANE. 

